Ezra Collective, the Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winning jazz group, performed a sold-out show at London's KOKO venue with surprise appearances from Leona Lewis, Kojey Radical and Yazmin Lacey.
One-night-only celebration
The concert, titled British Airways American Express presents Ezra Collective and Friends, marked a one-night-only celebration of music, connection and 25 years of the British Airways American Express Card.
The band consists of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. The members first met at the jazz youth programme Tomorrow's Warriors.
Awards and recognition
Their music blends Afrobeat, calypso, reggae, hip-hop, soul and jazz. In 2023 they won the Mercury Music Prize, and last year they became the first jazz group to win Group of the Year at the BRIT Awards.
Ezra Collective's 2024 single God Gave Me Feet For Dancing was also chosen by former US President Barack Obama as one of his 25 favourite songs of that year.
Tribute to London
Bandleader Femi Koleoso told the crowd: "London gave birth to Ezra Collective, so to be here tonight with you all, and looking out into this amazing crowd seeing people who have helped us get to this point is so amazing. Dance and celebrate with no rules and always keep practising London, you are the best city in the world."
The show followed the release of their latest album, Here Because Of Hope, which traces the movement of Black music across continents and generations, from Africa through the Caribbean to the streets of London.
During the set, Kojey Radical joined the band for No Confusion, Yazmin Lacey performed God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, and Leona Lewis made a surprise appearance for All I Need.
